Latest News
April 21, 2024:
Pray for our Dublin staff & their families- Another example of the lengths the UNION must go to at times to help our staff when the Agency disregards your well-being!
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April 21, 2024: This is a snippet from a Federal court transcript where the AUSA makes formal record of the Agency's refusal to provide legal representation to individual staff. (this is in a civil case). Most bargaining staff are listed as individuals even when they are acting in the scope of their duties, ie; the Agency will not help you.
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April 19, 2024: Lieutenant Osvaldo Albarati Stopping Prison Contraband Act Please Sign and Share
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April 17, 2024: Closure of troubled California prison won’t happen before each inmate’s status is reviewed
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April 16, 2024: FCI Dublin closing, women transferred to prisons across U.S.
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April 8, 2024:
Huge thank you to National & all others involved in negotiations:
The long awaited Unit Managment Manual has been published by the agency. Please ensure each local reviews the manual and invokes on all bargaining topics covered. As mentioned previously, many topics have been changed through national negotiations that the union believes will best support our bargaining unit employees. As all in Unit Team know, every institution has differences in operations due to unique missions, and the new manual gives locals the ability to fine tune things to fit the facility needs. It is vital for all locals to utilize these rights and ensure your Unit Team staff have localized procedures within the manual that works best for them.
I have to say I am very proud of all the unionists involved in these policy negotiations and beyond (to include dealing with the agency failing to publish timely and attempting to make many changes to the final agreement). We held firm, and I believe we got a great policy out, and opened up the rights of the locals within the process and addressed many things that have been an issue for Unit Team for quite some time.
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March 12, 2024:
Take a moment to educate yourselves on the written statements presented to the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on "The Nation’s Correctional Staffing Crisis: Assessing the Toll on Correctional Officers and Incarcerated Persons" held on February 28, 2024.
When contacting your representatives this will help you with the words needed to publicly shed light on the pay, staffing, and wellness issues impacting our correctional staff. We have to have one unified voice from top to bottom on this if we are going to win this fight.
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March 2, 2024:
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March 2, 2024:
It's that time of the year again - yearly evaluations.
**Evaluations are especially important at facilities with retentions.
Stay vigilant for these important requirements:
Are supervisors failing to issue evaluations, performance log entries, and/or performance standards in a timely manner?
Are supervisors neglecting in-person meetings with employees when issuing evaluations, performance log entries, and/or performance standards?
Are raters failing to utilize and document input from employees' direct supervisors during evaluations and performance log entries?
Are performance log entries lacking specific examples of conduct?
Are annual ratings not aligning with the quarterly performance log entries?
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February 28, 2024: The director and IG will be testifying before Congress today at 10 am est on the inmate deaths in our federal prisons. Our National President as well as 4 other individuals will be testifying in a hearing this afternoon regarding our staffing at 2:30 pm est.
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February 22, 2024: Expect change...
Federal prison employees falsified logs in case where inmate committed suicide, IG says
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February 21, 2024:
FULL SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE:
Examining and Preventing Deaths of Incarcerated Individuals in Federal Prisons
Type: Full Committee Hearing
Date: Wednesday, February 28th, 2024
Time: 10:00am
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February 20, 2024:
Introducing Senate Bill 3771 - the Pay Our Correctional Officers Fairly ACT.
We urge you to click on the link above and share this important legislation with your local community and family. Let's work together to ensure our staff receive the fair compensation they deserve.
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February 15, 2024: Fired Oregon corrections manager wins nearly $1M in retaliation claim.
"The two cases center on the same two department leaders: Former Director Colette Peters, who now serves as director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons, and Heidi Steward, a longtime corrections administrator who remains on the agency’s executive team."
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February 15, 2024: Reps. Obernolte, Chu, Weber, and Carbajal introduce legislation to address prison understaffing.
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February 10, 2024: This is an update on legislation affecting BOP staff.
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February 9, 2024:
"Congress can do its part to position the Bureau of Prisons for success by passing legislation to make the agency director a Senate-confirmed position — ensuring direct accountability to Congress — and increasing independent oversight of the agency. This legislation has been introduced in the House and the Senate with bipartisan support — an encouraging sign that real change is possible." Article from The Hill
Necessary oversight just might finally be on the horizon! Do your part & make your calls / send your letters!
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February 9, 2024: The companion bill for H.R. 3199 "Pay Our Correctional Officer Fairly Act", has been introduced in the Senate. Want better pay? Make your calls, send your letters!
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February 7, 2024: Thomson prison workers push for federal protections.
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February 7, 2024: Gang member found guilty in assault on correctional officer
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February 6, 2024: Post from the Fraternal Order of Police
“The White House referred ABC News to the Justice Department.”
Is that the same as a no comment to the crisis occurring in the federal prisons ? Burying your head in the sand will no longer work Mr President. Our criminal justice system, the foundation of our great country is crumbling!
February 3, 2024: Federal Prisons Haven’t Addressed Longstanding Concerns About Overuse of Solitary Confinement
February 3, 2024: Bureau of Prisons union leader asks Biden 'to prioritize and address' staffing.
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January 29, 2024: Message from Eric Williams Parents
January 28, 2024: It's a good thing the Agency higher ups aren't conducting our official counts! BOP is on 60 mins!
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January 27, 2024:
🚨🚨Want a higher pay band FCI BIG SPRING?
Do YOUR part! Click the link, fill out, send... & make YOUR calls daily!! Help us help you! Pay Our Correctional Officers Fairly Act
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January 23, 2024: National Legislative Update
January 18, 2024: Congress passes short-term funding extension, averting government shutdown. The DOJ/BOP deadline for funding was February 2, 2024. With this new CR, we are funded through March 8, 2024.
January 2, 2024: Biden finalizes 2024 federal pay raise for civilian employees. This is the new Rest of the US pay table for 2024 that will begin pay period 1 of 2024. RUS 2024
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November 16, 2023:
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November 14, 2023:
House passes bill to avert government shutdown, Speaker Johnson notches first big legislative win. The bill will now go to the Senate. If passed, the President has said he will sign.
November 13, 2023:
We are nearing the possibility of a government shutdown again. As of now, unless something is done, funding will need to by approved by midnight on Friday 11/17/2023. Currently the House of Representatives is trying to find a way to pass a CR.
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November 7, 2023:
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November 3, 2023:
The possibilities of a government shutdown are still very real. AFGE has some information at http://www.afge.org/stoptheshutdown for members as well as
https://www.afge.org/.../stop.../member-impact-testimonials/
November 2, 2023:
2024/2025 Local 3809 Executive board
President: Paula Chavez
1st Vice Pres: Chris McGee
2nd Vice Pres: Rudy Brito
Chief Steward: Kaegan Hunt
Sergeant at Arms: Heath Cowan
Fair Practices: Eric Barton
Secretary/Treasurer: Ricky Creswell
October 22, 2023:
In just FOUR WEEKS we are facing another potential government shutdown.
Tell Congress to pass government funding and prevent a shutdown. Lawmakers need to do their jobs, so you can do yours.
Call Congress daily (855) 222-9093.
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September 30, 2023:
We have a 45 day reprieve folks! Stop gap passed 88-9 in the Senate. If you are one of those who hasn't been able to plan for this occurring, or just didn't know to, between now and November, work OT & set as much back as you can!
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September 30, 2023:
Turn of events...Now to the Senate: House sends bipartisan bill to avert government shutdown to the Senate hours ahead of deadline
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September 30, 2023:
Shutdown Update:
The â€House‬ passed three appropriations bills and failed to pass a fourth:
The â€House‬ considered and rejected â€H.R. 5525‬, the “Spending Reduction and Border Security Act,” on a â€198-232 vote‬. The legislation would have funded the operation of the Federal government through 31 October. It now seems certain there will be a partial government shutdown. H.R. 4365â€, the “Department of Defense Appropriations Act,” was passed ‬ on a†218-210 vote‬;
H.R. 4367â€, the “Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act,” ‬ was passed on a â€220-208 vote‬; H.R. 4368â€, the “Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug‬ Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act,” was defeated
on a â€191-237 vote‬; and H.R. 4665â€, the “Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related‬ Programs Appropriations Act,” passed on a†216-212 vote‬. The â€Senate‬ passed the motion to proceed to the consideration of†H.R. 3935‬, which temporarily reauthorizes the Federal Aviation Administration and serves as the
legislative vehicle for a continuing resolution that would fund the government through 17 November. It is unknown when debate on the measure will begin, but it seems certain that the Federal government will shut down on October 1st. We are working with local community members in preparing to assist you through this difficult time. On behalf of the Local, thank you in advance for your dedicated service to the American public.
Paula
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September 29, 2023:
FYI- Important Veteran information in case of a government shutdown:
-Veteran health care is not impacted. VA Medical Centers, Outpatient Clinics, and Vet Centers will be open.
-VA benefits will continue to be processed and delivered, including compensation, pension, education, and housing benefits.
-VA will not provide Veteran career counseling or transition assistance program activities.
-The GI Bill Hotline will be closed.
-VA benefits regional offices will be closed.
-VA will cease public affairs and outreach to Veterans.
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September 28, 2023: Guidance for Shutdown Furloughs: Leave is Section F.
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September 27, 2023: Government shutdown would be 'devastating' for Bureau of Prisons employees
September 27, 2023: Shutdown update:
Senate-authored stopgap faces tight timeline:
Senate leaders have unveiled a stopgap spending measure with dwindling time to pass it and avoid a partial government shutdown.
The continuing resolution would extend current funding levels through Nov. 17 and provide scaled-down emergency aid to Ukraine and victims of natural disasters.
The CR cleared a key procedural hurdle Tuesday evening when senators voted 77-19 to limit debate on a motion to proceed to the shell vehicle (HR 3935).
The bill's enactment by Saturday would dodge a partial government shutdown otherwise set to begin with the new fiscal year on Oct. 1.
(But the odds appear increasingly slim)
Without the consent of all senators to speed up the clock, procedural hurdles could drag out a final vote in the Senate into the weekend. Plus, some Republicans have signaled battles ahead over Ukraine aid, disaster relief and border security measures that could further slow down the CR. (Source-CQ Morning Briefing)
The Senate stopgap would still have to be passed in the House.
Meanwhile in the House:
House tees up votes on four spending bills, but not stopgap.
House Republicans have set up a busy week in which the chamber is set to consider four separate spending measures, not including a bill needed this week to stop a partial government shutdown.
After several tries to get the fiscal 2024 Defense appropriations bill (HR 4365) on the floor, the House adopted a rule (H Res 723) to take up that legislation plus three others -- Homeland Security (HR 4367), Agriculture (HR 4368) and State-Foreign Operations (HR 4665).
After the rule vote, the House wasted no time getting started with debate and amendments related to the Agriculture bill, the first of the four in the queue this week. (Source-CQ Morning Briefing)
There are 12 Spending Measures that need to be passed to keep the government open, so things are looking tight. Right now I would expect to Shutdown, hopefully it will be short or just for the weekend, but be prepared for the long haul.
We are the pawns in all this and are working to get things lined out to provide you all the support you need to get through this should it drag out. Details will be forthcoming. We've done this successfully before. One team.